Brexit could be creating a staffing shortage among carers in East Yorkshire.

Around 10,000 European Union nationals quit the NHS in the 12 months following the referendum vote last year.

The exodus was a 22 per cent increase on the previous 12-month period.

Now East Riding councillors have heard a similar picture might be emerging in the region's care sector with EU staff leaving both residential and domiciliary care jobs.

An ageing population will result in an increasing reliance on social care. (Image: Getty Images)

Speaking at a health scrutiny meeting, the council's head of business management and commissioning Yvonne Rhodes said: "The providers in the domiciliary sector are telling us that the pool of staffing available is shrinking.

"They are finding fewer migrant workers are coming into the sector.

"It's hard to say accurately whether Brexit is having anything to do with it it but that is what the sector is saying."

The council currently funds home care for just over 2,100 people across the East Riding, using 30 different contractors.

Mrs Rhodes said financial incentives linked to specific care services were being offered to some providers as a way of helping companies recruit and retain staff.

However, she admitted the council could not dictate to the wages paid to staff employed by its care contractors.

"Our fee rate includes a pension contribution and we pay at the rate of the National Living Wage.

"Some providers might choose not to pass that on and we can't compel them to. They are business decisions for the sector to make.

"However, they have a contract of service and if they vary from that we will cease trading with them."

John Skidmore, director of corporate strategy and commissioning for East Riding Council.

Demand for home care in the East Riding has increased by nine per cent over the last 12 months but councillors heard staffing shortages combined with the challenges of covering scattered mainly rural communities were creating problems in some areas.

John Skidmore, the council's director of corporate strategy and commissioning, said: "The rural nature of the East Riding is an issue and creates real difficulties in places like Holderness, Holme on Spalding Moor, Market Weighton and Stamford Bridge.

"There are issues with domiciliary care and with care homes because there are not many in these areas either. It's a big challenge."